Sioux City Council Meeting - July 27, 2026

The Sioux City Council met on July 27, 2026, to address a consent agenda, multiple public hearings on zoning and vacation requests, a first reading of an ordinance to regulate off-road utility vehicles (UTVs), and a corridor study for South Lake Port Street. The meeting included one public comment on stormwater fees and council member updates on various city projects.

Consent Calendar

• Consent agenda items 2 through 10C were considered. These included: reading of minutes from June 5, July 9, 16, and 26, 2026; reappointment of Chris Courtney to the Human Rights Commission (three-year term); acceptance of the annual evaluation of the R Center Director by the Board of Trustees (deferred by a 5-0 vote after Councilmember requested a hard copy); resolutions authorizing the police department to accept Drug Control Policy funds (item 5A) and fire rescue to apply for a drone grant (item 5B); temporary street closures for farmers market and Sounds of West 7th Street events (items 6A, 6B); consulting services agreements for water main, bridge deck, and chemical building projects (items 7A, 7B, 7C); authorizing payments for June (items 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D); alcohol license applications (item 9); and board minutes (item 10). Councilmember questioned the use of outside consultants and was informed a review is underway. All items on the consent agenda passed unanimously (5-0) after the deferral of item 4.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ken (Kevin) Dart spoke during citizen concerns, expressing extreme disapproval of the stormwater runoff fee increase, which he described as "300% unjustified" and compared to extortion. He stated the fee now accounts for 50% of his water bill and accused city officials of corruption. He threatened to have a friend place a hex on council members and warned of consequences. No council response was noted.

Discussion Items

• UTV Ordinance (Item 19): Third reading of an ordinance allowing off-road utility vehicles on city streets. Two amendments were proposed: (1) to delete the requirement for tires bearing a manufacturer's DOT marking (moved by Councilmember Bertrand, seconded, passed 5-0 after public testimony from Scott Bishop supporting the change and clarification from the City Attorney); (2) to increase the minimum permitted age from 18 to 21 (moved by Councilmember Bernstein, seconded, failed 2-3). The ordinance as amended then passed (vote not explicitly read but adopted). Council noted a press release will be issued because the ordinance does not take effect until published in the journal.
• Hotel Rezoning (Item 15) and Cone Park Vacation (Item 16): Public hearings for rezoning 3800 Line Drive (hotel site) and vacating a portion of Cone Park. Councilmember Scott voted against both, arguing the land should be preserved for park use. Both passed 4-1. Staff confirmed the property was not purchased with Cone Park trust funds and that a 30-day notice for developer interest will begin next week.
• Shooting Shed Lease (Item 18): Resolution accepting proposal from Siouxland Youth Hockey for a lease at Donner Park for a shooting shed (two-year term with one-year option). After questions about utilities, insurance, and removal responsibilities, the resolution passed 5-0.
• South Lake Port Street Corridor Study (Item 22): Presentation by City Engineer Gordon Ferris and Mark Tuck of Burns & McDonald on a study from Morningside Avenue to Singing Hills Boulevard. The study identified high crash rates (e.g., Glenn Avenue had four times expected crash rate) and recommended lane reallocation from four lanes to three with a center turn lane between Morningside and Lincoln Way, pedestrian improvements, bus turnouts, and signal/roundabout options at Singing Hills. No funding was requested; the study was approved 5-0 to support future grant applications and CIP programming.
• Other Items: Item 4 (R Center evaluation) was deferred to allow councilmembers to review a hard copy. Item 17 (alley and street vacation) was deferred for price negotiation; first reading only was approved.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 5-0, with item 4 deferred 5-0.
• Items 11-14 (board of adjustment, vacation of Amanda Street, alley vacation, rezoning 4302 Russin Street) all passed 5-0 with waiving of second and third readings.
• Item 15 (rezoning 3800 Line Drive) passed 4-1 (Scott dissenting).
• Item 16 (Cone Park vacation) passed 4-1 (Scott dissenting).
• Item 17 (Magnolia Street vacation) deferred for price negotiation; first reading approved.
• Item 18 (shooting shed lease) passed 5-0.
• Item 19 (UTV ordinance) passed as amended (tire amendment adopted, age amendment failed); no explicit final vote tally but adopted.
• Item 20 (easement assignment) passed 5-0.
• Item 22 (Corridor study) approved 5-0.